Sun's Fury Might Bring Northern Lights To More States

Get ready, stargazers! This weekend, the Sun is throwing a bit of a temper tantrum, and Earth might get a light show in return. Scientists predict that a party of charged particles from the Sun might disturb Earth's magnetic field, causing a geomagnetic storm. And if you get lucky, the storm might bring the Northern Lights closer to home! The Sun's activity, measured by the Kp index, will hit four on a scale of nine on Friday night. This means the Northern Lights will be dancing more actively, and they will be more visible. The Northern Lights are the result of electrons from the Sun interacting with Earth's atmosphere, causing a light show. The Sun's activity can be intense, like the May 2024 storm, which NASA says was the strongest in 500 years, bringing the lights as far south as Texas and northern Florida. Think of the Sun as a giant, unpredictable lighthouse, and the Northern Lights as the beam of light. The Sun's solar flares and coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, are the reason for the light show. The lights can be seen between 10 p. m. and 2 a. m. local time and are best viewed from a high point away from city lights. If you want to capture the Northern Lights, National Geographic and NOAA have some tips. Use a wide-angle lens on your camera, set the ISO high, and focus on the farthest point. If you're using a smartphone, turn on night mode. The Northern Lights can be seen as far as 620 miles away in good conditions. Now, where to see this spectacle? Well, the best chances are in Northern Canada and Alaska. But the view line might dip as far south as Minnesota. Other places with a lower chance include parts of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, and Maine. This weekend's solar storm might not be as intense as the May 2024 storm, but it's still worth keeping an eye on the sky. Think about this: the light show you're witnessing is the result of activity that started 93 million miles away! It's a reminder of how connected we are to the universe around us. So, grab your cameras and head outside for an unforgettable night under the dancing lights!